Clarkson University School of Business

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business History

Clarkson University, founded in 1896, is a private, coeducational institution. The 640-acre campus is located in a small town 170 miles north-northeast of Syracuse. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is 2964.

The Clarkson University School of Business was founded in 1967 and is located on the main campus. The basic educational approach is to promote ambition and leadership skills through rigor and collaboration with an emphasis in interdisciplinary learning.

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business Academics

The School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as a joint degree in ME/MBA (Two Year/Two Master Degree Program). Clarkson has “4+1” articulation agreements with 27 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada that enable students to fulfill the foundation requirements as undergraduates and thereby complete their master’s degree requirements in 1 additional year of study. Cross-registration is available with St. Lawerence University, SUNY Potsdam, and SUNY Canton, and foreign exchange is offered in Australia, France, Austria, and Germany. The strongest areas of study are supply chain management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and consulting. The most popular courses are Supply Chain Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Marketing. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus, including Globalization/Ethics Week and Executive Seminar Series.

Thirty-five total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Managerial Economics
• Decision Analysis
• Management Accounting
• Financial Management
• Information Systems Management
• Production/Operations Management
• Marketing Management
• Leadership and Managerial Skills Development
• Organizational Behavior and Performance Management
• Strategic Management

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements for up to 9 credit hours by having completed graduate courses at another AACSB institution.

The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1 year; maximum, 2 years.

There are 20 total full-time graduate business faculty, of whom 90% hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of courses faculty teach is 4; average business class size is 32.

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business Unique Programs

Library

The university’s main library houses a collection of more than 305,968 volumes, 225,384 microform items, and 5317 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribes to 1656 periodicals. Students have access to such databases and networks as ABI/INFORM, World of Science, FirstSearch, Lexis/Nexis, and Standard & Poor’s Net Advantage. Other opportunities for research consist of membership in NYSERnet and access to libraries of institutions in the Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley Consortium. The Human Resources Development Laboratory and the Shipley Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship serve as additional resources.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 30 networked Pentium PCs available to graduate students 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The lab is equipped with color laser printers as well as scanning capability. The systems currently run Windows XP, Microsoft Office XP Professional, and additional special-purpose software.

Career and Job Placement

Majors most in demand by companies recruiting in 2006 were supply chain management, consulting (SAP), finance, and marketing. Average starting salary of the graduating class was $55,000; range was $42,000 to $65,000. Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include job postings, networking assistance, career counseling, and alumni contacts. Placement is available through Graduate Career Services and the university placement office. Eighty percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must score 600 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) or 100 on the Internet-Based (iBT) version. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts, proof of health consisting of all immunization records and a physical, and proof of adequate funds to cover first semester of study. There are special fees of a $35 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of merit-based scholarships and graduate assistant positions. The application deadline for fall entry is May 1.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 15 weeks long; summer sessions, 2 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are GMAT results, academic accomplishments and ability, and grades in upper-level courses. A strong mathematics background is not required.

The number of applicants for the 2006-2007 class was 105; 91 were accepted; 61 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.27; average GMAT score was 544. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall only. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and 2 essays. The application deadline is rolling for fall entry. Students are notified as soon as the application file has been completed of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is July. Once accepted, students may defer admission for up to 1 year after initial start date.

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business Financial Aid

About 85% of graduate business school students receive financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $25,500 annually; maximum $42,500. The FAFSA, the school’s own financial statement, and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for all students is $889 per credit, or $31,115 per year. Books and supplies cost approximately $1600; personal expenses, $7500; and other fees, $215, for an estimated annual total of $40,430. Graduate student housing includes several houses or apartments off campus with individual bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Clarkson University, Clarkson University School of Business Students

Ninety-four percent of the current graduate business school class are enrolled full time; 13% have had an average of 2 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students are from New York (71%). Thirty-four percent are women, 5% are minorities, and 20% are foreign nationals. The average age at entrance is 25; ages range from 21 to 45. Sixty-seven percent enter directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 49%, business; 11%, economics; 11%, engineering; 11%, social sciences; and 6%, math and science. About 5% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 95% remain to receive their degree. In 2006, 61 graduate business degrees were awarded.